Relishing Kadamakkudy's evening

It was before dusk at Kadamakkudy village,  I drove through the narrow road while stretches of Pokkali fields on the both sides sweetend my sight. Kadamakkudy, a group of fourteen islands,  is considered to be one of the islands that arose during the floods in 1341. Situated about 12 kms from Edapally, in the Indian state of Kerala, it is a small, lush green village surrounded by a meadow.  The village is famous for its...

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Absorb The Beauty of Western Ghats at Kathirumudi Near Thiruvananthapuram

It is necessary to heal our body and mind to enjoy  life in its fullest while travelling. Therefore, I reached Thiruvananthapuram on Saturday night and checked into my hotel for the next day's trek to Kathirumudi, which is situated in Agasthya mountain ranges located in Thiruvananthapuram district, in the Indian state of Kerala. In the next morning,  five of us gathered at  Thampanoor, and started to Kappukad in a car at around...

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Water Lily Bloom at Malarikkal

Kerala, with its natural beauty and abundant natural resources is no longer left behind.  In the past few years, Water Lily bloom  have become a phenomenon across different parts of  Kottayam district, in the Indian Sate of Kerala.  Malarikal, which is situated adjacent to the Thiruvarpu Road at Illikkal Town, near Kottayam,  has been the most visited place this year for witnessing the Water Lily bloom. From Kass plauto...

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Chasing footprints of Adi Shankaracharya

There is something exciting about an hours drive from Kochi  to Kalady - the birth place of Sri Sankaracharya. Kalady is just 42 kms from Kochi, but which we had wanted to visit for the last 20 years.  We have a  tendency to leave nearby places unseen  for a 'later' time for the simple reason that  we can always go  there anytime.  Kalady had been one such place in my list. One fine Sunday morning, me and...

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Walking with the Wild at Silent Valley National Park

On a cold Saturday morning, I started  my drive from Shoranur to Pathiripala. The journey to the Silent Valley National Park had begun. I  had already discussed  with Mr.Anil to join with him to Mukkali  from his house at Pathiripala.  To reach Pathiripala at the crack of dawn, I started at 5 am. We started off from Pathiripala at around 6.00 am and our route was Kongad-Mannarkad-Mukkali. The road was bad and less...

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Sacred Journeys : Sri Subramanya Temple at Peralassery

Stepwell at Peralassery Sri Subramanya Temple I  travelled to Kannur district to visit three main temples, for reasons best known to me. Situated 14 km away from Kannur,  in the Indian state of Kerala,  the snake temple - Sri Subramanya Temple in Peralassery is unique for its architecture and associated legends DIVINE EXPERIENCE AT THE TEMPLE According to legend, Sri Subramanya had visited the area in the form of a snake....

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Trekking and Camping at Brahmagiri Hills

Experience the tranquility of Thirunelli temple situated on the foot of Brahmagiri hills and a walk through a land blessed by untouched nature and enjoy the monsoon season in the lush green forest of Wayanad and Western Ghats. The camp was conducted on July 27 and 28 at Thirunelli, Wayanad district in the Indian Sate of Kerala. There were 40 participants in the camp. We, a gang of 20, from Ernakulam started at 6.30 am in a 20 seater Force...

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Train journey from Shoranur to Nilambur

How about travelling in a train with a group of 50 friends.  On a Sunday morning, we were travelling from Shoranur to Nilambur. The focus of this train journey is  not reaching the destination but to enjoy the day with like minded people. This route is often described as " Green Tunnel" because both sides of the railway line is covered by trees, mostly teak. Since we were travelling in monsoon, nature had become more greener. We...

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A Monsoon Weekend in Agumbe

When it come for long travel, I always prefer flight or train. But  this time I was excited as am going to travel from Ernakulam to Udupi in Rajadhani Express. And I wanted to add an extra dose of fun by travelling in First AC.  This is the first time I was  traveling in Rajdhani Express. Since my booking was in First class, I was allotted  a  coupe. It looked like a  mobile dormitory and it can accomodate two persons. I...

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Kayak through Periyar

Being Sunday, I went for a Kayaking journey through the Periyar river, which is surrounded by the lush greenery of Thattekad Bird Sanctuary. I drove from Kochi to Kothamangalam and then turned to Thattekad road . After a few kilometers drive,  turned  right to Chaarupara road and further drive was through a straight road till Inchathotty bus stop. As per our itinerary,  our meeting point was at Inchathotty at 9 am. After...

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